Monthly Archives: August 2016

Post navigation

About the Book

This true story shows how having a drinking alcoholic in our close family has affected our lives. The problem is that you cannot simply forget what has happened, you cannot un-see what you have seen, or forget the gross things you had to deal with. There is no guarantee it won’t happen again, and that isn’t fair.

I have always thought of Alcoholics as scruffy, smelly people who care about nothing and no-one apart from where their next drink is coming from. So imagine my horror when my brother-in-law morphed into this stereotypical image and the nightmare began for his brother and me.

Excerpt

“The fact is, John will always be an alcoholic – always just a slip and a drink away from spiralling back into the hell that being a drinking alcoholic is – and that is not a place he wants to be, ever again.

The true story spans more than fifteen years since alcohol first started to affect John’s life. His brother William and I only became involved about six years ago, but the impact on our lives has been life-changing. We were just a year away from retirement, living 100 miles away from John, and his only close relatives. In all modesty, without us I don’t think he would have survived.”

It’s never easy living with an addition to alcohol – either for the alcoholic or for his/her family. So often it’s hushed up and kept as an embarrassing family secret which everyone knows about, but they only talk about behind closed doors.

This book is forthcoming in helping to explain what it’s like living with someone in the close family with a drinking problem, and shows how it affects the whole family.

A revealing and honest account of this problem which is prevalent in many families.

“An Alcoholic in the Family – A Relative’s Perspective” is currently available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon US.

About the Book

Harry is a twelve-year-old autistic boy, who also has ADHD. His father, David, has sole custody of Harry. David’s ex-wife, Laura, had a breakdown due to the stress of bringing up Harry. David takes time off to spend some time with his son, but struggles to cope with Harry’s behaviour. To add to their anxiety, Harry will be singing at the Royal Festival Hall as part of a special needs group, even though he hates singing and people clapping too loud. Will he be able to hold it together in front an audience of two and a half thousand people?

Excerpt

“Niall ignores Harry’s presence, but stands up to get a closer look inside the oven, which it is open. He looks admiringly at the chips and sausage, as if this was the first time that he’s seen such an amazing meal.

‘Do you think that Harry has tourette’s?” Kerry asks.

‘No, he has a mild form of ADHD.’

‘Is that Attention Deficient Disorder?’

‘Yeah, with hyperactivity thrown in.’

‘Oh, I wasn’t aware he had that,’ Kerry responds.

‘Our paediatrician diagnosed ADHD when he was four. He’s been on Ritalin since then.’

‘Has it helped?’

‘Considerably. He couldn’t concentrate on anything and was always getting into fights at school, usually instigated by himself. Since he’s been taking Ritalin he’s been calmer and able to focus better at school.’

‘Sorry, I didn’t know.’

‘I usually tell people he’s autistic, but don’t mention the ADHD; it’s much easier.’”

Amazon Reviews

These are three of nearly two dozen 5-star reviews for this book on Amazon:

I loved this book! As a parent of two autistic people myself, I can assure would be readers that the life described by Denis Deasy in this entertaining tale is spot on!

Recommended to others leading the autistic life as a delightful way to find out you are not the only one whose offspring are flatulence obsessed (and the rest!!) and also for those in normal land, in the hope they may learn some understanding and tolerance, if they have not yet done so.

This is a wonderful book; a touching story that uncovers the peaks and troughs of raising a child with special needs. It is full of honesty, humour but most of all love and respect with seemingly getting little in return. Everyone should read this book, whether touched by autism or not. It would help to make us all more tolerant and accepting of those that are a little bit different.

About the Book

This is a moving story about a girl who grows up in a family devoid of love. She longs for acceptance and recognition from her mother, and this affects her own marriage. Her husband leaves her for a younger woman, and she is left as a single parent. She loses all her friends and even her beloved father lets her down.

But the woman is a fighter. She finds inner strength in adversity. Left alone, she fights for her rights, struggles for years and wins. Her house is full of music and laughter and her son and her have a lot of fun together. After fourteen difficult years, without drums and trumpets, she finds success and peace of mind.

Excerpt

“So the ‘gris gris’ period began; Therese was adamant that she had to protect me. She initiate me in some magical rituals, most of them quite funny, which she said would drive away any negative energy from me. I had to spit seven times over my left shoulder whenever I left the house. I had to cross my fingers behind my back every time my aunt saw me. My nanny loved me like her own child; she never stopped telling me that I was an angel who fell from the sky. Therese’s African magic was harmless; she just wanted to do me good. One time I discovered a red pepper that she had hidden in my school bag with a medal of the Virgin Mary attached to it. I loved this chaotic mixture of prayers, coming from different worlds. I was devoted to the Virgin Mary myself, because I had spent all my school time in a convent with Irish nuns. I prayed endlessly, desperately, like a drowning person clinging to a branch for survival.”

Amazon Reviews

This is a moving story about a girl who young grows up in a dysfunctional family, and then as an adult she has a job that she does not enjoy. She still longs for love and recognition from her family, which affects her marriage. Her husband leaves her for a younger woman, and she is left as a single parent. She loses all her friends and even her beloved father lets her down.

But the woman is strong. She’s a real fighter. She finds strength to confront her troubles. With her son, she fights for her rights, and strives for years for her identity and respect. After over a dozen years of strife and struggle for acceptance and peace of mind, she eventually finds happiness.

Daisy and Owen never catch a break. After being torn apart by the powerful and ruthless Elders, the
sweetness of their reunion is tempered by the knowledge that Daisy’s emotions may soon disappear again.

With loyal friends by their side, Daisy and Owen will stop at nothing to save her, and their love.

Haven’t started reading The Allure Chronicles yet? The prequel novella Seduction’s Kiss is FREE and Lure (The Allure Chronicles #1) is on sale for 99¢!

Never agree to a road trip to New Orleans with your roommate. At least not when your roommate is dragging you along while she reconnects with an ex-boyfriend. Possible consequences of failing to take my advice:

1) Unknowingly going out with a vampire stripper
2) Getting kidnapped by said vampire’s nest mates
3) Falling head over heels for your winged hero

Believe it or not number 3 is the worst one, especially when no one believes you that he exists.

Two years, six months, and twenty-five days. That’s how long it had been since I’d seen my winged hero— not that I’d been counting. I’d suffered through years of counseling just to convince my friends and family that I wasn’t crazy and knew he didn’t exist.

But he did. And I was done waiting.

Days after college graduation I headed back down to New Orleans to retrace my steps and find Owen again only to find my life was about to get even crazier… thanks to the most beautiful and dangerous of all paranormal creatures, the Allures.

About the Author

Alyssa Rose Ivy is the bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels with over half a million books sold worldwide. She loves to weave stories with romance and humor, and she is best known for writing about college boys with wings and skinny dipping. After surviving law school and earning her masters in library science, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

When Colin Cavendish, the new earl of Drayson, informs Lucy Beresford that she and her mother need to vacate the house they’ve called home for the past two years, Lucy is fit to be tied. They have no money, no relations they can turn to for help, and nowhere to go. How dare the earl break the promise his father had made to the Beresfords without so much as a twinge of conscience?

Fate plays her hand when Lucy discovers the earl unconscious and injured in the middle of the road. When he awakens with no recollection of who he is, Lucy seizes the opportunity to teach the earl a much-needed lesson in humility and tells him that he is nothing more than a mere servant. Her servant, in fact.

And thus begins the charming tale of a pompous lord and an impetuous young woman, caught together in a web so tangled that it begs the question: Will they ever get out?

Excerpt

He stared at her incredulously, as though she had escaped Bedlam. “Are you in your right mind, woman?”

Lucy leaned forward and planted her palms on his bed so that her eyes were level with his. “My name is Lucy Beresford. I have lived in Askern all my life. I’m the sole daughter of a vicar and a seamstress who lived most happily despite their differences in station. When my father passed away, I came here, to this dower house. So yes, I am in my right mind. It is you who are not.”

The earl’s jaw clenched, and Lucy took some pleasure at the sight. Perhaps he would come down off his high horse and show at least a small amount of kindness or respect.

“I may not know who I am or where I came from,” he finally said, “but at least I do not feel the need to tell tales.”

“Tell tales?” Lucy gaped at him. Was he accusing her of telling untruths? Her, of all people? What untruths? How dare he!

Lord Drayson glanced down at his fingers, frowning when he spotted grime under his nails. He began to scrape it out as he spoke. “Claiming to be the daughter of a vicar and seamstress is all very romantic, but it cannot possibly be the truth.”

“And why not?” she asked.

His gaze returned to hers. “In my experience, the daughter of a vicar would behave with more decorum, would know how to make a palatable broth, and would never allow herself to be alone in a room with a man who is not her relative. If there is one thing I know with absolute certainty, it is that you are no relation of mine.”

Lucy’s jaw clenched as she fought to control the rage building inside her. Ever so slowly, she pushed herself up to standing and glared down at the earl. “You are correct in thinking I am no ordinary vicar’s daughter. I do not love unconditionally. I show decorum only when I wish to. And I despise those who care for no one but themselves. But I do not tell tales.”

He actually chuckled, but it was more of a scoff than a show of humor. “Did you learn those traits from your father?”

“Do not speak of my father.”

“I would prefer to speak of myself, but you do not seem to share that preference, so perhaps we should speak of your father instead. Where is he, by the by? I would very much like to meet him.”

Lucy’s fingers became fists while her conscience became a battleground between all that was good and evil inside her. It was a short battle, with evil making a quick triumph.

Ever so slowly, her body still trembling with anger, she lifted her chin. If he was going to accuse her of telling tales, then tell them she would. “Very well, Collins. If you must know, I am your employer. And though you may not remember me, or this house, or your position in it, or the fact that you are perfectly susceptible to coming off a horse, just like any other human, I still expect some kindness and respect from you.”

“What on earth are you talking about? What position?”

There was not a hint of hesitation in her voice when she answered. “You are a servant in this house.”

About the Author

A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 9/18/16

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Enforcer is the Fourth book in the Princes of Prophecy. It
is a little different than the others. Women are extremely resilient when they
need to be. This book shows that right from the beginning. Things aren’t always
what they seem to be and we get a firsthand look at how that plays out for our
Enforcer and the heart, mind and soul kind of love that takes hold of all our
Badasses.

Sheila grew up in the MC. Adopted by a biker family she was
always just another Brother. She’s trained for High Security and moves with the
Princes when they take their new town and place within the MC Chapter. As a
jack of all trades, Sheila is the Princes go to Brother. She gets the job done
and can comfort the victims when needed. To her Club she’s invaluable. To
Sheila it’s just another day. Seeing everyone around her growing up and moving on, she realizes her past may be holding her down. When her past threatens to
take the job she loves and Club she would give her life for, she jumps at the
chance for help. Going it alone isn’t easy, but she’s Sheila. Jax left Family
Security with the MC when a teenage girl started showing interest in him. He
knew it was only a matter of time before he lost control with her and put his
life on the line. Badass Bikers are known for doling out justice their way.
Seeing her on the list for the new Club he figures five years is long enough.
It’s time to grab a taste of that forbidden fruit, that is, if she doesn’t kill
him first.

L. Ann started with the Baxters and is working on her third
series, The Princes of Prophecy MC. While her books feature ex-SEALs and Badass
Bikers, L. Ann is writing about the strong women that these men need in their
life to help right the worlds wrongs and help keep their small part of the
world safe. The women are extraordinary, strong and determined to make a
difference.

Sofia Boon was ready to make changes in her life, but she didn’t see this coming…
Taking a chance, she finds the nerve to ask out her handsome neighbor, but when he doesn’t show up for their date, Sofia knocks on his door and meets a man claiming to be his roommate, and she soon realizes she’s made a horrible mistake.

Eitan Kent is a tortured man, haunted by a death he was unable to prevent…

Eitan believes he is unworthy of being loved. He buries himself in his work and takes a job to track down a wanted criminal, Ben Donovan. He locates Donovan’s apartment, but finds it empty—until Donovan’s “date” shows up.

Eitan doesn’t know what to make of sweet, curvy Sofia, but she’s the only lead he has…
Feeling he has no choice, Eitan decides to take her with him to see if she can somehow lead him to Donovan before it’s too late—or if her innocence is all an act and she’s involved in the bastard’s crimes.

Sofia is terrified and tries to explain to the dark stranger that she barely knows her neighbor and has no idea how to track him down, but Eitan knows exactly how to get the truth from her. Who knew a little torture could be so sweet?

Entering is easy. Readers pick one of 6 cover choices for Lisa’s next mystery book, Bound to the Truth. Everyone whose pick wins gets a free copy of the ebook when it’s released this fall, and one person out of that bunch gets a free, signed copy of the print book!

So, what are you waiting for? Hop on over to Lisa’s blog post and vote:

About the Book

Fergal Fox, born with the magical gift of speech, still feels he has much to prove. Continuing his earlier adventures, his ambition reaches new heights as the star columnist on a national newspaper and as an undercover police detective; but can he solve a crime that has baffled the local constabulary? As Fergal waits to have his contribution to society recognized, deliberations are taking place in the highest echelons of government. The Honours and Awards Committee is sitting! Will Fergal be the first of his kind to receive the ultimate accolade?

Excerpt

“Events then moved frighteningly quickly. After his previous soporific six months, Fergal now realised he was on the point of re-joining the fast lane when alacrity would become a standard feature of his life, as it had been ‘in the old days’. He accepted he would have to gear himself up for his new responsibilities and inevitable timescales but considered himself ready for the challenge. A few days after Dominic had spoken with Fergal, the first warning on what Fergal had let himself in for was posted on Friday, 24 September. Norman took a phone call from Dominic late in the evening. Dominic’s very brief cryptic message, which brooked no questions, was: ‘Buy the Express tomorrow and show it to Fergal. Say nothing about it to him for now.’”

Amazon Review

Vulpes Vulpes is a cracking read. It’s a modern take on celebrity life as seen through the eyes of a talking fox. Sounds like it should be a children’s book but those of younger years will probably miss a lot of the hidden meaning.

It’s a difficult book to pigeonhole but my view is that it highlight’s the modern lust for celebrity gossip and the delight that the UK takes in building up heroes and then immediately knocking them back down – all mixed in with the author’s humour and classical education.

I got through the book in no more than 2 or 3 sittings as it flowed nicely, kept you wanting more and you could feel a genuine empathy with Fergal, the lead character.

Rachel Fallon is gone. With everything changing at a pace she can’t control, she isn’t sure whose life she’s living anymore. Is this the life she wants or the life everybody else wants for her? When Rachel decides to leave her fiance, Tyler, and best friend, Jordie, behind, the journey to rediscovering herself takes her places that she never expected. It also leads her to meet someone who could be everything she wants. Her choices aren’t easy ones and will bring her laughs, tears and heartbreak regardless of what she decides. All that matters is she’s finally Finding Rachel.

x

x

x

Excerpt

The driver got out to greet me.

“Miss Fallon.” He nodded his head. “I’m Decker …” he began, but I walked right past him and opened the back door to get in. He waited until I shut it, then climbed back into the driver’s seat and looked at me in the rear view mirror.

“As I was saying, I’m Decker. I’ll be your driver.”

“Great, got it, you‘re Frank’s monkey boy,” I snapped at him. “Can you just take me to the hotel or wherever the hell it is I’m staying? Thanks.”

He put the truck in drive, but we remained idle. “Okay then. Is there anything you need to get before we go to wherever the hell it is you‘re staying? Would you like to stop anywhere to pick up lunch?”

I wasn’t paying attention to a damn word that man was saying. I was zoned out looking at the picture of Tyler and me. It was my favorite one …

“Are you high?” Decker asked.

“What? No? Why would you ask me that? Not like it’s any of your f***ing business if I was,” I shot back at him, whipping my sunglasses off my face.

“Great, now that I have your attention, how about you let me know if you need to stop anywhere before getting to your destination. I’ll keep it simple for you … a head nod or some sort of gesture will suffice,” he teased.

“I’ve got a gesture for you,” I went back at him. I flipped him off, but down low where I thought he wouldn’t see it.

“Ahh, dammit.” He gave an exaggerated frown. “Frank bet me twenty bucks you’d give me some inappropriate answer or gesture within the first three minutes of meeting. I bet him you wouldn’t. I’m a benefit of the doubt kind of guy. You almost made it. Two minutes and thirty three seconds.” He picked up this phone and showed me the stopwatch timer.